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Dan 'Big Cat' Katz reacts to Wisconsin retaining Luke Fickell for 2026 season

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh11 hours agogriffin_mcveigh
Luke Fickell, Wisconsin
Luke Fickell, Wisconsin - © Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

No coaching change is coming this offseason in Madison. Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh told ESPN that Luke Fickell will remain with the program for the 2025 season. Fickell has been on the hot seat for a while now, with some thinking he might join the handful of coaches already fired this year.

As expected, there are some mixed reactions to the news. One came in from Dan ‘Big Cat’ Katz of Barstool Sports, not even using words to describe his emotions. Instead, Big Cat used the famous “This is fine” GIF with flames surrounding the dog.

Big Cat has been quite outspoken when it comes to Fickell. Even McIntosh, the Barstool personality does not believe they should be the one running things. He recently appeared on an episode of Andy & Ari On3, explaining his whole thought process.

“It’s going to take time to rebuild this and it’s not gonna be Luke Fickell and Chris McIntosh,” he said. “I’m pretty convinced of it. So going another year down this road, delaying it for another year and going another year down into the bottom of the Big Ten, it’s just insane. Again, it goes back to the chancellor doesn’t care. I don’t think they fully grasp how behind they are right now in the new college football landscape. Every second they keep their head in the sand, they’re gonna be even further and further behind.”

Wisconsin enters Saturday’s game vs. Washington on a six-game losing streak. Not much has gone well overall, but especially on the offensive end. The most scored during the stretch is 14 points vs. Alabama. Every other team has been able to keep them at 10 points or lower — including two shutouts.

In total, Fickell holds a 14-19 record during his time with the program. Unless Wisconsin can find a way to win out, this will mark the second straight season under .500. Wisconsin also held a large bowl streak, dating back to 2002, before getting broken last year.

The plan moving forward appears to be a larger investment in Fickell’s roster. Instead of using money on a buyout, Wisconsin wants to work to get better players in the modern era.

“Chancellor (Jennifer) Mnookin and I are aligned on significantly elevating investment in our program to compete at highest level,” McIntosh told ESPN. “We are willing to make an investment in infrastructure and staff. As important, is our ability to retain and recruit players in a revenue share and NIL era.”